Ireland are likely to have three teams qualify for the knockout stages against a likely two from England. Irish rugby is going well.

Northampton's performance was brilliant at the weekend, but it was just a week too late to give them a chance in Europe.

What it does, though, is make them believe again that their team is good enough to win the Premiership, which is all they have left to go for.

Hi Jerry, with three points separating the sides at the top of Pool Five, it looks like it is heading for a winner-takes-all showdown between Leicester and Ulster in the Heineken Cup in January. If it does come down to this, which team do you think can clinch the pool? BJ

Hi BJ, I agree it looks like it's heading for a winner-takes-it-all scenario when Ulster travel to Leicester in the final round. I believe Tigers have the ability to do the job.

Hi BlueMagnet, for a while Danny Cipriani rightly wasn't considered for England because of his form and long-standing question marks about his ability to fit into the team environment coach Stuart Lancaster has created.

Cipriani has certainly improved his defence, but apart from that there's not a great deal in his game that stands out at the moment.

At his best, Cipriani used to leave defenders wondering what happened with his pace and skill.

I've not seen enough of that to make me believe he's anywhere near his best again yet.

Hi Jerry, with regards to Toulon's second try against Exeter, when Matt Giteau offloaded to David Smith, how far forward does a forward pass need to go before it is deemed illegal? CSJD

The laws define what is a forward pass and the referees have to make the decision themselves or with the help of the television match official (TMO).

For me, the first camera angle of the replay looked like the hands on release of the ball were going forward, but on the second they looked to be going back.

My instinct and gut decision was the pass was forward, but I'm not tearing one off the TMO because they get it right most of the time.

I have no qualms about Warren Gatland winning the Coach of the Year award. He's done very well in the six years he's been in charge of Wales. Helping to co-ordinate the British and Irish Lions' victory, and to ultimately pick the side that won the series, marks him out as a coach at the top of his game.

Mr Guscott, if there was any law in rugby that you could get rid of, what would it be? And if you could introduce a new law, what would it be? Bob

Hi Bob, I would like to see rucking brought back into the game. I believe it would improve the breakdown mess we have sometimes. Right now, I can't think of any laws I would like to bin.

What did you think of George North playing in the centre for Northampton at the weekend? I thought he played brilliantly, and with the injuries Wales have in the centres, do you think he could be playing there come the Six Nations? With all the Welsh wingers coming through, it's not impossible. Rugbylad13

Hi Rugbylad13, it is definitely an option, but not one for me while there are players like Owen Williams, Scott Williams and Ashley Beck who can step in to play alongside Jamie Roberts.

I prefer to see George North on the wing with a bit more space, time and the opportunity to counter attack. What we did learn, though, is that he has the ability to handle the centre position and is a big threat there.

He's proving to be one of the most talented youngsters in world rugby and it's great that he is playing his rugby in the northern hemisphere.

Hello Jeremy, I have always wondered about the topic of club-based banter between England players. During a training camp, do the scores taking place get mentioned between players? If Northampton beat Saracens, for example, do the players joke about it? Or is it forbidden to be talked about? Cheers. FullbackLJ

Hi, in my time the banter was relentless. If Bath had beaten Leicester, or the other way round, then for a couple of days afterwards, whoever lost would be getting some stick on the England training paddock. This happened more at training weekends, rather than in the week leading up to an international, though.

Banter is an integral part of a team getting on with each other. There are certain personal lines that can't be crossed but everything else goes.